Court Ruling on 2002 Murder Case
On Friday, a U.S. federal judge overturned the murder conviction of Karl Jordan, who had been found guilty in the 2002 killing of pioneering rap star Jam Master Jay. The judge ruled that prosecutors failed to adequately prove their case, which was linked to a drug-dealing dispute.
Details of the Acquittal
U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall granted a rare judgment of acquittal for Jordan, who was convicted by a jury in February 2024 for the shooting death of Jason Mizell, the legal name of the famed DJ and founding member of Run-DMC. However, the judge denied a similar request for Jordan's co-defendant, Ronald Washington.
Both Jordan and Washington were found guilty earlier this year on federal charges of murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking. Jordan is the godson of Mizell, and Washington was a longtime friend of the rap artist.
Background of the Case
Mizell, known for his role in Run-DMC, helped bring rap into the mainstream in the 1980s with hits like "It's Tricky" and a cover of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way." Despite the group's anti-drug messages, evidence at trial showed that Mizell turned to dealing cocaine in the 1990s to support his music career.
He was shot dead on October 30, 2002, in his New York City recording studio. Prosecutors argued that the killing stemmed from a disagreement over a cocaine distribution deal in Baltimore, with Mizell acting as a middleman who cut Jordan and Washington out of the arrangement.
Judge's Reasoning
In her ruling, Judge DeArcy Hall found that prosecutors presented no evidence that Jordan had been excluded from the drug deal or was dissatisfied with his share of the proceeds. She stated that there was no basis for retaliation and no proof that Jordan intended to steal from Mizell's supplies.
"To draw the conclusions urged by the government would exceed the bounds of reason and require plainly impermissible speculation" on the part of the jury, the judge wrote in a 29-page opinion.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
A third defendant, Jay Bryant, has also been indicted in the killing and faces a separate trial. Jordan has maintained that Bryant was the one who shot Mizell. According to prosecutors, Jordan shot Mizell in the head at close range, while Bryant allegedly helped Jordan and Washington enter the studio through a locked rear fire exit.
The U.S. attorney's office in the Eastern District of New York is reviewing the judge's decision, according to a spokesperson.
